DeLonghi ESAM6700 Gran Dama Avant Touch-Screen Super-Automatic Espresso Machine

- Automatic burr grinder built in that grinds from a pre-filled bean reservoir. This is very convenient and it makes a fresh and fragrant cup of stuff.

- Good temperature on the coffee, and it gets to that temperature very quickly. Never overly hot. Never tepid. Just right.

- The unit is surprisingly small and compact considering all that it is capable of. It fits perfectly into the slot that my old Capresso coffee pot occupied -- a machine that only made coffee, nothing else.

- Does it make a good cup 'o joe? Answer: Yes. It makes just as good a cup of regular coffee as what I get from the Peets store down the street. And this is what I was ultimately looking for. For the coffee alone, it is great. Far better than any machine I have ever owned previously (I have owned, I think, five machines from three manufacturers, at this point).

DeLonghi ESAM5500M Perfecta Digital Super-Automatic Espresso Machine, Metallic Blue

I purchased this baby about six months ago and have already brewed 2,000 cups of cappuccino. I have settled on Illy beans and it is a real luxury to wake up, press one button, and have such a tasty treat. It does not create true coffee-house foam but it is close enough. Indeed, I am now accustomed to the slightly larger bubbles and find real cappuccino a bit too creamy. In any case, the beast has worked like a charm so far. It is expensive but life is short and little luxuries like this make it so much more enjoyable. I also bought an aerolatte electric milk frother, which makes much thicker and more authentic foam for when I really want creamy foam. But it is so easy to just pull the little milk frother that comes with this machine out of the fridge and press the button that I rarely use the aerolatte device, which is a shame because it was 90 bucks itself. But as I said, life is short and little luxuries make it sweeter. One issue is that it can be fussy to mate the milk jug with the machine: you gotta pull it off and push it back in sometimes to get the thing mated. The nice thing about a true super automatic device such as the perfecta is that you are not tied to coffee pods: it grinds whatever beans you give it. All in all, I am glad I bought it and paid off the credit card bill accordingly.

Gaggia Accademia Espresso Machine

Rise through the ranks with the Gaggia Accademia, a smartly appointed super automatic espresso machine, whose charming good looks and responsive performance are sure to earn it place at the top of its class. With a contemporary stainless-steel front panel, durable metal frame, and a bright display, the Accademia embodies refined design aesthetics. Anchored by one-touch, programmable push-button controls for espresso, hot water and milk outputs, the Accademia dispenses perfect beverages on demand. Just select your desired beverage from one of seven dedicated buttons capable of delivering the following drinks: espresso, caffe, caffe lungo, cappuccino, latte, Latte macchiato and hot water.